But Scaled/Mojave don't have any rocket propulsion development expertise "in-house". If they don't work with SpaceDev, who *are* they going to work with? XCOR?

Might I remind you that Scaled is currently the single most famous aerospace corporation on the face of the planet, bar none? They could post a notice in Aerospace America (or on a university barroom billboard) and have fifty of the world's best propulsion specialists within an hour of its release.

Hell, they've had to deal with all us college students by saying that they will not accept interns or co-ops under any circumstances -- they simply don't have the time to review all the applicants.

Benson and the rest of the SpaceDev execs may feel there is enough of a potential market that he can sell equipment to whomever, and still put his own products to compete against them. There's still an inherent possib ility for conflict there. If Scaled pays for a motor at certain specs and SpaceDev provides them, one would think that there would be bulletproof contracts to keep SpaceDev from using the same technology, or even the same motor, in a vehicle to compete against them. On the other hand, a company like Scaled might drop that sort of clause to get a cheaper deal, allowing companies like eAC and SpaceDev to market their work to to other vendors.